Foo - The Life and Times of CRTreeDude

By popular demand and so that I don't pollute "Watcha doing" too much, I am starting this thread.

My wife and I are living in Costa Rica involved in reforestation. If you did not know, something like 73% of Costa is Deforested and yet, it is one of the places in the world with the most Biodiversity on the planet. For example, up North there are 200 birds, here we have 800 - and I could go on.

My goals have been to come up with methods so that reforestation could pay for itself. We are being pretty successful at it. About 5+ years ago I decided I was tired of making people I really didn't like too much richer than they already were, and wanted to do something else. Something else moved us to another country!

Shadiyah, we try very hard to live a simple life. We pour all our resources into the reforestation. It is what makes us happy. But, in many ways, I feel I live a life of luxury. We have people who take care of just about every task we have to do (cleaning, cooking, laundry, lawn, cleaning my bike, our car, etc) and so we don't have a lot of stuff, but we don't spend much time doing chores.

We also try to live very modestly. We can afford to buy just about anything we would want, but it would cause us to be isolated from our friends and neighbors. My income is probably 20 times more than average here.

So, with all the excess money, I start new companies. I team up with a Costa Rican, they provide the blood, sweat and tears (and I pay them) and I provide the capital and business knowledge - and we both make more money.

Today is my wife's birthday, yesterday the neighbors threw her a party. She came home all emotional and said it was the greatest birthday she had ever had. The neighbors explained to her, one by one, the impact that we have had in their lives. Things like this are priceless. We gave up the richness we had in home and vehicles in the United States for a richness in our experiences and relationships.

Seems to me that we got the better end of the deal.

Ask away on any question.

How have you made reforestation pay for itself? Can you explain the business model?

Sure,

Tropical hardwoods are really valuable, that is one of the reasons for the deforestation that we see (in truth, cutting down a tree is not deforestation, changing the land use from forest to something else is). To bring back a forest, you cannot plant the climax forest, you have to start with pioneer species. So we plant those. We sell these trees to investors who own the trees and all the wood that comes from the trees. We over plant by 10% (because of normal losses) and then, when there is a dead tree or damaged, we replace it with trees that will make up the permanent forest.

The trees grown for profit are all removed within 25 years, the owner gets the money, and the land was purchased with the money people pay us to grow the trees - and the land because a permanent rainforest.

So, simply, one cycle of plantation trees to bring back a rainforest. Once we plant the plantation trees, it will always be trees.

Are you hiring? ;) Please?

Not a question, dude, just admiration. :)

Eboo, you wouldn't believe how often I have someone ask that...

What is your major? (by the way, we lived in Clarence Centre for two years)

Ummmm, Foo field trip to Costa Rica!

I'm majoring in Biology, can I work for you?! :D

Eboo, you wouldn't believe how often I have someone ask that...

What is your major? (by the way, we lived in Clarence Centre for two years)

Clarence! My old housemate grew up in Clarence :)

I doubt you really want me...my undergraduate degree is in Anthropology/Underwater Archaeology, and I just got my masters in Library Science (Librarian) Think of it, though...you could have your own, personal librarian! I also grew up on a big ol' dairy farm, I can milk your wandering cows...

It sounds perfect down there. You and your wife are part of a great big wonderful thing.

I would feel better about myself if I wasn't having so much fun. :D

What is weird is until we did this I never really thought of myself as an environmentalist - more of a pragmatist. After all, I live on this planet too.

By the way, if any of you have a lot of time on your hands and are curious, this is a new article I wrote with a new idea on how to effectively reforest. Article by CRTreeDude (http://www.ecoworld.com/home/articles2.cfm?tid=410)

Believe it or not, one of my passions was Anthropology and I have always thought it helped me more in business than anything else, especially business in a foreign culture like this.

Another of the weird things is that when I was in High School, my dream job was to be a forestry professional of some kind - and I forgot all about it. Until we were about 3 years into Finca Leola. Then it occurred to me that I was finally able to land in the job I always wanted.

I guess the only way to get someone to hire me to do it was to own the company. ;)

Soooo so cool! I am in awe of your life! :) That would seriously be something that I could only dream of my life becoming. :) Just thinking about it makes me smile.

See - old geezers can be cool!

You might be surprised in how easy it is to do. I hate to bring this up - especially on an open forum, but something we started this year was to help others be involved, it goes like this.

A person buys a property (with our advice, help and near us) that is suitable for reforestation. It has to be fairly large - say 70 acres or larger. We then make an agreement with them for the use of all the land except for about 5 percent (about 4 acres) for a homesite. We will reforest the whole thing using our people and our resources, and we will rebate them the cost of the land where the trees are. Often this ends up being the total cost of the land.

There is an ecological easement on the land so that it the reforested section will stay reforested forever. They can sell the land, but the agreements go with the land.

So, some can have a large piece of land to enjoy - and the only cost is waiting for the money to return, which we will do within 3 years (usually 1 year).

We already own so much land that we really don't need to become land barons. This is a way to involve others.

We do well because I don't have to pay for land ahead of time - and of course the land owners do well because they have their cake and eat it too. (have land, and have the money return quickly)

This is allowing us to grow much faster because I don't have to worry about cash flow as much.

By the way, our daughter (who lives in the USA) tells people who ask what I do for a living, "My Father is buying a small latin American country, one piece at a time". Sometimes I wonder if she is right...

Hmmm...how much is 70 acres? Maybe we should form the Foo Consortium of Costa Rican Land Owners Association and make ourselves up a bunch of bike trails and cottages for vacations, riding and of course, bbq'ing something.

Pretty close to 1,200.00 USD per acre right now. You wouldn't have to even worry about bike trails - all of Costa Rica is a bike trail!

crtreedude...it sounds like you have been doing this for 5 years, but the article you linked to (which I guess you wrote), talks about yields occurring at 6 or 7 years, 17 years, 25 years, etc. How are you already generating a profit?

Are you selling tree futures?

Thanks

Hmmm...how much is 70 acres? Maybe we should form the Foo Consortium of Costa Rican Land Owners Association and make ourselves up a bunch of bike trails and cottages for vacations, riding and of course, bbq'ing something.
Now someone is speaking my language. :D

The growth rates of trees are very well known, and since, at least for the first 80 years, growth rates are linear, after 3 years, the future can be projected. I am already selling lumber I am buying from other plantations (that is in another company I own).

The demand for lumber far exceeds the supply right now - and for the forseeable future.

Yes, we are profitable. Not hugely, but that is the goal.

We don't sell tree futures, just the trees themselves, which of course have future value.

This is the best thing I've read in ages. My family is from Honduras, and the brain is already churning with ideas for reforestation there.

Thanks, amigo.

Very cool - if you need any advice, etc. Let me know. I am more than willing to help.

I love forests. What pisses me off the most here in california. The greedy bastards who want to constantly use every little piece of land to make profit off of real estate. Small patches of trees are cut down, little areas where plants were that you wouldn't even think they could build anything on, they are building apartments on. Trees at the end of my court are completely cut down to stumps. Why? Wtf.. I liked the trees there. It annoys the **** out of me. We need more forests, and less buildings. STOP BUILDING SHlT EVERYWHERE.

And then when there is a big mudslide... everyone wonders what happened.

And then when there is a big mudslide... everyone wonders what happened.

Excatly that.


Read your website amazing and well done.

Now if only I could afford to buy some trees.

You can probably see the work of my wife on the website - you see, she is an editor... My contributions here are not nearly as well written I fear.

I really don't want to do a sales pitch here - but if anyone wants to discuss buying trees - the contact info is on the website. We have even payment plans and you can use IRA money too.

crtreedude... It's awesome what you're doing! What a difference you're making. I don't know that many of us can say we actually make a difference. I don't know if I can.
I learned a lot from your article... thanks for the link. And Costa Rica looks beautiful.
Do you need a nurse? :D

I love forests. What pisses me off the most here in california. The greedy bastards who want to constantly use every little piece of land to make profit off of real estate. Small patches of trees are cut down, little areas where plants were that you wouldn't even think they could build anything on, they are building apartments on. Trees at the end of my court are completely cut down to stumps. Why? Wtf.. I liked the trees there. It annoys the **** out of me. We need more forests, and less buildings. STOP BUILDING SHlT EVERYWHERE.

One of the reasons why I could never live in cali again, or atleast near the cities. I've got more forest than I know what to do with around here. :rolleyes:

Not yet! I was wondering yesterday though. I almost did a one legger down a hole - and I don't know what is down the hole!

Thanks for all the kind words foosters. Like I said, I would be feeling pretty proud of myself it it wasn't so much fun. After all, how many people get to do something like this? One of the greatest things is that every one of our tree owners are great people. It is really amazing. All are concerned about the status of the planet for the future, and willing to risk a little in order to help out.

And I like nothing more than giving people guided tours of the projects, whether they are tree owners or not.

I know you said you only like to deal with pretty big pieces of land, but could I buy like a little one foot square area just so I can say I've got a piece of land in Costa Rica? :rolleyes:

Yes, we are profitable. Not hugely, but that is the goal.
There was a businessman and philanthropist in Brooklyn who's motto was, "Cost plus 5%", meaning as long as he made a 5% profit, that's all that was necessary to earn a good living for himself. He built apartment buildings for his factory workers and charged them enough to pay off the building loan + 5% for himself. The workers made good wages and were able to save at least 5% (if not more) themselves after all their expenses were deducted. Sounds like you might be operating along a similar train of thought.

I find by being fair with people, I make more. It is better to have a small amount of something big, than all of nothing.

Taerom - contribute to the Tree Avalanche - it will mean you have bought the land under the tree and all the trees that will ever be produced from the wood from that tree.

Have you thought of expanding into eco-tourism?

You're a good man, mr. tree dude. The "big man upstairs" is certainly noticing your work.

I would love to take a guided tour of your land!!! We're starting to think about coming there, at least for a vacation, if nothing else. :)

By popular demand and so that I don't pollute "Watcha doing" too much, I am starting this thread.

My wife and I are living in Costa Rica involved in reforestation. If you did not know, something like 73% of Costa is Deforested and yet, it is one of the places in the world with the most Biodiversity on the planet. For example, up North there are 200 birds, here we have 800 - and I could go on.

My goals have been to come up with methods so that reforestation could pay for itself. We are being pretty successful at it. About 5+ years ago I decided I was tired of making people I really didn't like too much richer than they already were, and wanted to do something else. Something else moved us to another country!

Shadiyah, we try very hard to live a simple life. We pour all our resources into the reforestation. It is what makes us happy. But, in many ways, I feel I live a life of luxury. We have people who take care of just about every task we have to do (cleaning, cooking, laundry, lawn, cleaning my bike, our car, etc) and so we don't have a lot of stuff, but we don't spend much time doing chores.

We also try to live very modestly. We can afford to buy just about anything we would want, but it would cause us to be isolated from our friends and neighbors. My income is probably 20 times more than average here.

So, with all the excess money, I start new companies. I team up with a Costa Rican, they provide the blood, sweat and tears (and I pay them) and I provide the capital and business knowledge - and we both make more money.

Today is my wife's birthday, yesterday the neighbors threw her a party. She came home all emotional and said it was the greatest birthday she had ever had. The neighbors explained to her, one by one, the impact that we have had in their lives. Things like this are priceless. We gave up the richness we had in home and vehicles in the United States for a richness in our experiences and relationships.

Seems to me that we got the better end of the deal.

Ask away on any question.


Nice, i am pro environment. Deforestation i happening everywhere like: Brazil, Madagascar and many other places. Wish you luck on your goals and saving the environment.

Big, big kudos to you. What a fantastic initiative.

Very cool!!!


I love forests. What pisses me off the most here in california. The greedy bastards who want to constantly use every little piece of land to make profit off of real estate. Small patches of trees are cut down, little areas where plants were that you wouldn't even think they could build anything on, they are building apartments on. Trees at the end of my court are completely cut down to stumps. Why? Wtf.. I liked the trees there. It annoys the **** out of me. We need more forests, and less buildings. STOP BUILDING SHlT EVERYWHERE.

That's one of the things I love about Maine, the northwestern part of the Maine is one of the largest forested areas in the country.

How did I miss this thread the first time around? Gosh, crtreedude, I'm filled with a mixture of amazement, envy, and excitement about what you're doing. I'd like to see your response to cooker's question: are you thinking about eco-tourism?

Back in the office - I do have to work SOMETIME! (as though the office isn't work too)

Regarding Ecotourism - it will be more of an alliance when it happens. We do have places for people that they could stay, but I am very protective of the workers that we have. 90% of the visitors would be no issue, and positive (and we do have them) but there is the other 10%. To give you an idea of what I am concerned about, there are signs in the airport warning foreigners not to engage in sex with minors... There have been problems with tourist. Since our farm managers have young children, we are very careful - and then tend to be a bit naive too.

The issue is often tourist feel that since they are away from home in a third world country, they can do anything. A few have found out the hard way otherwise.

I guess I am fortunate, based on a lot of hard work and good fortune, I am in a situation that I normally don't need money. (there is always cash flow issues!) Because of that, I am always careful about over extending in areas that would require more of my time. However, I am always open to alliances where someone else is doing the heavy lifting.

Currently I do tours, I end up walking the fincas at least once every two weeks (if not more often). Since my schedule is reasonably flexible, if there are visitors - they just go with me. I do my reviews of the plantations with the visitors, they get to see first hand the trees and the operation, I get a little company. Now a days, probably 3/4 of the visitors are tree owners - but sometimes just someone who wants to see what we are doing.

Shadiyah,

You are more than welcome. We have horses if you are into that kind of thing. Lots of things to do in our zone, Arenal Volcano is the most visited place in Costa Rica, and is only an hour away. Hot Springs, incredible views, wildlife, etc.

By the way, yesterday was interesting. We went to a local futbol game (that would be soccor for those who don't know). One of our farm managers and the guy who runs construction are both on the team. (local town) - all towns MUST have a futbol field - if not, they are not a town. (you think I am kidding, I am not!) Anyway, we won, it was a good game.

What amazes me is that here are two people who's jobs are very physical - and to relax they play futbol on Sunday. :eek: By the way, the team we were playing was from the lowlands - we are up in the hills a little - we whipped them. :D They scored first, but them we beat them 3 to 1. It was all about conditioning. They had about 4 people on the team that could stand to lose some weight - our team is incredibly fit - you walk up and down these hills every day...

So, we dominated the second half because they were being careful not to step on their tongues... ;)

After that, we went to a sweet 15 birthday party that one of our workers was having for his daughter. It was interesting for sure. People tend to marry pretty young here, so she might be single only for a couple of more years.

Hey crtreedude, I forgot to ask, when you say plantation trees, is that like coffee trees or something?

Nope, hardwoods. Teak, and about 30 different native types.

What about partnering with these guys (http://terrapass.com/)? They sell CO2 credits to guilty SUV drivers (although they might not describe it in those terms :) ). The founder, prof Ulrich is also a principal of Xootr/Swift and sometimes appears on bikeforums. That way you could get gringos involved without them leaving home! Is there a way of measuring the CO2 captured by your forests as they progress?

Hi Cooker,

Yes, the CO2 credits is a good idea - and yes, there are studies which establish exactly how much is tied up based on growth rates, etc.

We are currently in the process of investigation of FONAFIFO Which is the Costa Rican agency who deals with these things.

If I bought land down there, I'd want mango, papaya and all other kinds of fruit trees. I'd need something to eat while I ride my bike around. :D Keep up the good work crtreedude!

Yep - we got those, and a ton of other things too. My fruit smoothies are usually picked fresh from the trees.

Yes, the CO2 credits is a good idea - ...
We are currently in the process of investigation of FONAFIFO Which is the Costa Rican agency who deals with these things.

That's great, ahough I confess I am ambivalent about the CO2 trading strategy (not at your end, where you actually are capturing CO2, but at the other end, where someone else doesn't have to do it, because they buy credit for your work). Your CO2 capturing work is already somewhat profitable in it's own right, so presumably the people who want to buy credit to offset their own continuing CO2 emissions could instead figure out how to reduce their own emissions profitably.

Having said that, if the CO2 generators have to pay for that privilege, eventually simple market economics and competition will force them to green up their act or go out of business, so a CO2 credit system if properly implemented, may be a transitional practise that works for the time being.

Cooker, it is an interesting idea - and it does make it possible to transition.

We will accept the money (big surprise, eh?) but I won't build a business plan around the assumption that it will continue. Governments are way too finkle for me.